It’s peak aubergine season in our vegetable beds – but also inside our homes. Deep plummy hues are creeping up our walls, on to our cabinetry and scattered across sofa cushions, while Pinterest reports searches for aubergine kitchens are up 495 per cent.
Like many interior trends, it’s reflected on the catwalks, too: at New York Fashion Week’s autumn 2026 shows, Cult Gaia, Michael Kors, Diotima and Bach Mai sent out head-to-toe aubergine looks.
But it’s not a new trend. Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene, says: “Regal, reassuring plum aubergine hues are historically associated with opulence.”
Purple has signified wealth since Tyrian dye was reserved for Roman emperors, and when chemist William Perkin accidentally synthesised mauveine in 1856, Victorian Britain fell so hard for the colour that satirical magazine Punch diagnosed an outbreak of “mauve measles”.
Aubergine resurfaced in the velvet-drenched interiors of the 1970s, and its current revival follows the same trajectory as our previous obsession with chocolates and caramels: warm, enveloping shades that encourage you to cocoon at home.
However you style it, be it on your walls, on an armchair or dipping into accent accessories, it’s a shade that looks good enough to eat.
Fabric
From £158 per metre, Jessica Osborne
A rich fabric, used to cover anything from sofas and chairs to a new pair of curtains or even make up a few cushions, will add drama.
Paint
From £32 for 1 litre, Coat
One of the cheapest ways to affect a big change is to paint a room: try this bold deep purple Trinket paint by Coat, a brand highly rated by professional decorators, which is made to order and can arrive anywhere in the UK by next-day delivery.
Pillowcases
£55 for the pair, Sukun
Make a bed fit for a queen with these regally-trimmed pillowcases.
Bluetooth speaker
£259.99, Marshall
A delightfully retro-looking speaker, encased in a stylish burgundy case, it’s easy to connect from your device using Bluetooth or the 3.5mm input and engineered to fill the room with sound.
AGA
From £7,500 for a Mini, Aga
You do need to be sure of your purple intentions if you’re splashing out on an aubergine-coloured AGA, but if you’re sure, then this will make a bold statement.
Ripple knob
From £18, MG&Co
A quick update for your cabinets is new hardware: these dark, textured handles will bring a bit of glamour to an existing cupboard.
Always Pan
From £100, Our Place
Pots and pans don’t have to just be black or silver – upgrading to an aubergine-hued one will enliven your hob, and give you licence to leave it out.
Tile
From £3.88 per tile, Balineum
Whether you’re tiling a fire surround, a kitchen splashback or a whole bathroom, tiles are endlessly adaptable and these dark, glossy mosaic glass tiles give a crisp, uniform look.
Four-piece cutlery set
£48, Petra Palumbo
Petra Palumbo, the designer, created a modern tartan pattern inspired by the wild Scottish Highlands of her home to decorate this cutlery set.
Ceramic tray
A dark glossy tray is handy for serving drinks from or to display a collection of nice objects on a sideboard.
Hand-blown glass tumbler
£28, Late Afternoon
These mouth-blown pink terrazzo tumblers made in the Balearic Islands are like beautiful pieces of art, but amazingly, are also dishwasher safe (on an eco setting).
Marble lamp
£499, Lights and Lamps
You can embrace the aubergine trend in a subtle way, such as with this heavy red rosso marble lamp that will give a pleasing weight to any room.
Quilted cotton bedspread
From £249, Rebecca Udall
A cotton bedspread adds charm to your bedroom, and is intensely practical – a light layer when it’s hot and an extra one when it’s cold.
Key tassel
£25, Pandora Taylor
A very sweet tassel to adorn your furniture key.
Screen-printed linen napkin
£45, Ascher Paris
A beautiful linen napkin makes a table seem fully dressed, whatever else is being served.